Chapter 10: The Beginning of Aster

Ethan leaves without his lollipop.

I don't notice it at first. Not until I'm wiping down my register between customers and my gaze lands on the small, red-wrapped candy still sitting on the counter. His receipt flutters slightly in the weak breeze from the store's entrance, his card already long gone from my hands.

He left it.

He never forgets it.

For a second, I just stare at it, feeling something strange twist in my chest. It's silly to be bothered by it, but I am. More than I should be.

Before I can second-guess myself, I grab the lollipop and dart around the counter, weaving past customers and ignoring Shelly's confused call behind me. The glass doors slide open as I step outside, the evening air cool against my flushed skin.

I spot him near the far end of the parking lot, moving sluggishly, like he's barely aware of his surroundings. His hoodie is slouched low over his head, his hands buried in his pockets, his usual sharp awareness dulled by whatever's weighing him down.

"Ethan!" I call out, jogging to catch up.

He stops, turning slightly as I approach. His brows knit together when he sees me, confusion flickering through his tired expression.

"You forgot this," I say, holding up the lollipop. My voice is steadier than I feel.

For a moment, he just stares at it. Then, his lips twitch, but it doesn't quite form a smile. "Guess I did."

I shift on my feet. "Are you okay?"

He hesitates. The same hesitation he had at my register, but now there's no line of customers, no rush to leave. Just me and him in an almost-empty parking lot, his silence stretching long enough for my heart to beat a little harder.

"I'm fine," he says finally, but I don't believe him.

I inhale deeply, then make a decision before I can talk myself out of it. I reach for his hand, ignoring the way my own trembles slightly, and flip it over. His fingers twitch in surprise as I pull a pen from my back pocket and press the tip to his palm.

"My number," I murmur, scribbling quickly before I lose my nerve. "In case you ever... you know, want to talk or something."

His gaze flickers between my face and his hand. He looks startled—like he wasn't expecting this—but then something shifts. Amusement? Maybe. The tiniest ghost of a real smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.

"That's a bold move," he says, his voice lighter than before.

I shrug, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "I figured you could use it."

He studies me for a moment longer before curling his fingers over the ink, like he's protecting it from the wind. "Thanks, Lily."

The way he says my name sends a small, unexpected thrill through me, but I nod, swallowing past it. "Don't lose it."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

I nod again, then turn back toward the store before my rapidly warming face betrays me.

By the time I step inside, reality crashes into me like a freight train.

Oh my God, what did I just do?

I gave Ethan my number. In the parking lot. After chasing him down over a lollipop.

I press a hand to my face, groaning softly. Shelly passes by with an armful of receipts and gives me a weird look. "You good?"

"Yeah," I say too quickly. Too high-pitched. "Great. Totally fine."

I'm not fine.

I'm overthinking every second of it now. Was it too much? Did he think it was weird? What if he never calls? What if he does?

I exhale sharply, forcing myself back to work, but my mind is an absolute mess.

Somewhere out in the parking lot, Ethan is holding a lollipop and a phone number, and I have absolutely no idea what's going to happen next.